What if you don't have a college degree in marketing?

Don't worry. I think you will find the statistics below not only interesting, but encouraging.The statistics below show you what percentage andthe degree background of new graduates in marketing.

• Biology 4.0%
• Business studies 34.0%
• Chemistry 2.5%
• Economics 4.0%
• English 10.0%
• Geography 7.0%
• History 9.5%
• Law 4.0%
• Mathematics 2.5%
• Modern languages 13.5%
• Physics 1.0%

• Psychology 8.0%

Source: Hobsons Graduate Career Directory 2001

So now that I've given you hope, how do you get your foot in the door? It will take determination and persistence, but it can be done. You will find that a start in marketing will normally put you in a position as a market research assistant, print buyer, general management trainee, or you can enter a program as a graduate trainee.

A few companies that offer Marketing Graduate Trainee programs are:

Mars

Mars doesn't have a specific marketing training program for graduates. They fun a cross-functional management development program, through which graduates have access to opportunities in marketing. Recruits to the program are typically given three to four assignments, the first of which may be related to their experience or studies. The remaining assignments will be in other areas, and one may be overseas. Their goal is to broaden trainees' experiences.

Nestle

Nestle has recently changed its approach to hiring graduates. Nestle recruits in a similar fashion as to how they recruit other employee levels.

Each department now recruits graduates throughout the year on an 'as-required' basis. Vacancies will be posted and advertised throughout the year.

Proctor & Gamble

Procter & Gamble's graduate training program recruits graduates into one of eight career tracks, including consumer and market knowledge and marketing. Consumer and market knowledge involves sophisticated and proactive market research-based work to identify business opportunities, including new product development. The marketing function involves growing the value of brands within the P&G product range. Marketing trainees will learn about advertising, PR, consumer bonding, direct marketing and project management within their first two years. The applicants are selected according to application form, a problem-solving test, interview, and site visit, where they will meet prospective managers and colleagues.

If you decide that the graduatetraining program route is not for you; you can still break into the field of marketing by being persistent. You will need to be willing to take on an entry-level position in most marketing agencies and work your way up. If this isn't a problem then it's time to begin your first marketing assignment, which is marketing you using your resume.